The Senate on Tuesday condemned the unlawful arrest of Nigerians by Benin Republic security operatives in Nigeria.
This followed a point of order by Tolu Odebiyi (AP, Ogun) at the plenary.
The senator, rising under order 42 and 52 of the Senate rules, said there were numerous reports of encroachments into Nigerian territory by authorities of the Republic of Benin.
He said the encroachment had become increasingly disturbing.
He said media reports revealed that gendarmes from the Republic of Benin crossed illegally into Nigerian territory to carry out the arrest of one Pastor Kunle Garb and Mr Benjamin Amosu, his interpreter.
“They are residents of Igbokofi Village in Yewa North Local Government Area (LGA) of Ogun.
“They were arrested for demanding the reversal of the land encroachment by the government of the Republic of Benin,” he said.
He added: “The arrest of these Nigerians is based on the allegation that they are resisting encroachment into Nigerian land through Igbokofi village in Yewa-North LGA of Ogun.
The senate thereafter directed its Committees on Foreign Affairs, Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, and States and Local Governments to interface with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Justice and National Border Commission to provide lasting solutions to unlawful arrest of Nigerians.
